FRANCHISE ANALYZER

Founder Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell restaurant in 1962 in Downey, California after selling his stake in a previous taco franchise to his partners. By the time two years had passed, Bell had started selling franchises. The Taco Bell brand soared into success with its fast Tex-Mex cuisine, and today over 5,800 locations are in operation worldwide. Today, Taco Bell is owned by Yum! Brands, which also owns the KFC, A&W, Long John Silver’s, and Pizza Hut brands.

In 1969, Jim Woodson and Harold Holmes bought a popular local taco stand in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They renamed it Taco John’s and started franchising right away, banking on their belief that the authentic Mexican recipes used by the shop’s original proprietor would be as popular everywhere else as they were in Cheyenne. The two entrepreneurs were right and Taco John’s has continued to be a popular franchise with over 400 locations.

The familiar chain of fast food Mexican restaurants got its start in Eugene, Oregon in 1958 when founder Ron Fraedrick set out to share the flavors he had enjoyed so much during his travels in Southern California with his friends in the Northwest. Fraedrickson’s Taco Stand was an instant sensation, selling thousands of tacos his first weekend in business. A few years later, the first Taco Time franchise was sold and the name has grown to include hundreds of locations around the globe.

Tasti D-Lite was first opened in 1987 in New York. The concept is to offer delicious ice cream that is lower in fat and calories than usual. The founders knew that consumers loved ice cream, but in such a health-conscious society, they didn’t want guilt to override the inclination to eat it. The idea was popular with New Yorkers, and would be so with customers elsewhere, too. Now there are around 60 Tasti D-Lite locations in the U.S.

Founded in 1992 in Russellville, Arkansas, Tax Centers of America provides bookkeeping and tax services, as well as electronic filing services, for customers across more than 20 states through more than 400 locations. The Tax Centers of America concept is heavy on fast service and thoughtful and enthusiastic attention to each customer’s needs.

TGA Premier Junior Golf provides golf-centered programs for kids, mostly at schools and recreation centers. The TGA curriculum was developed by experts in both golf and education to give kids optimal advantage from the program. Classes are crafted for various age groups from 3 through 16. The TGA franchise is currently at 50 locations throughout the United States. The programs integrate academic lessons with golf drills.

The Alternative Board (TAB) was founded in 1980 in St. Louis, Missouri by Allen E. Fishman. The company facilitates collaborative meetings between executives and business owners. These regular sessions are intended to help each member by allowing him or her to benefit from the knowledge of experienced peers in the business world. There are presently around 150 TAB franchises operating today.

The Athlete’s Foot is a chain of athletic wear retail shops specializing in footwear. The company was started in Pittsburgh in 1971 by founders David and Robert Lando. Since then, the name has grown and franchises have been developed in malls and sports centers, as well as in independent locations. Nearly 500 Athlete’s Foot locations exist all over the world.

The Cleaning Authority was established in 1977 in the Baltimore-Washington area. The concept included using teams for more efficient home cleaning. Entrepreneurs Tim Evankovich and Steve Robinson purchased the company in 1989 and began selling franchises in 1996. The two have continued to operate based on the original model, and have implemented new elements like a dedication to using more green cleaning methods and products.

The Dentist’s Choice sells, repairs and maintains dental equipment. The company was first started in 1992 and began franchising in 1994. Independently owned locations work with dental offices to provide repair to drills and other handheld dental tools and devices. There are over 130 Dentist’s Choice franchises in the United States and Canada.

This successful franchises gives people tools and strategies to be more successful franchisees. Through thorough research and interview processes, The Entrepreneur’s Source puts clients together with the franchise opportunity that is most suited to their individual personality, circumstances, and goals. The company was started in 1984 by Terry Powell, and became a franchise itself in 1997. The firm charges a fee to franchisors to be listed among the companies it recommends to clients.

Scott Novis founded Game Truck in Tempe, Arizona in 2006. His concept began as an idea for a personal party and quickly grew into his own business. Everybody loved Scott’s innovative new venture into the entertainment industry. By 2008, GameTruck incorporated and there are already almost 50 locations providing on-site multiplayer gaming experiences for groups and parties.

Roseville, California was home to the first Glass Guru location, opened in 2004. Glass Guru turned franchise in 2007 and now has more than 50 units and counting. The company offers a unique moisture removal service for dual-pane windows that saves the cost and waste of replacement.

The Great Steak & Potato group of franchised restaurants operates under the Kahala name. Other Kahala brands include Cold Stone Creamery, Blimpie, and Taco Time. The company was founded by Nicola J. Lanni in 1982, and the first store was opened in Dayton, Ohio. Now there are approximately 130 Great Steak & Potato restaurants serving the brand’s signature Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and other fare.

Greene Turtle is a combination sports bar and casual family dining establishment. Locations have flat-screen TVs broadcasting all of the important games and sporting events, and customers can choose to sit at family-friendly booths or belly up to the bar. The fare is American pub style, with plenty of burgers and beer. The company was founded in 1976, and began franchising in 2003. Since then, the business has steadily grown with locations now numbering almost 30.

Through workshops, individual coaching, and other training techniques, The Growth Coach helps small businesses work more effectively and efficiently. The company is comprised of over 150 franchises. Growth Coach representatives help to motivate employees by mapping out goals and providing support & mentoring.

Haagen-Dazs ice cream was created by Reuben Mattus in 1960. Mattus already had a lifetime of experience in the business, having grown up working at his mother’s ice cream company. The Haagen-Dazs brand soon developed a loyal following. In 1976, Mattus’ daughter opened the first Haagen-Dazs Shoppe with more to follow as they moved into franchising the following year. Now more than 250 of the gourmet ice cream stores are serving customers around the United States.

The HoneyBaked Ham Co. & Cafe was founded in 1957 by entrepreneur - and inventor of the spiral slicer - Harry Hoenselaar. Franchised in 1998, the company has had much success cooking up its signature HoneyBaked ham and turkey, along with side dishes and desserts. There are about 180 locations in the U.S. HoneyBaked also offers catering for business functions, parties, and holiday meals.

The first Human Bean Drive-Thru was established in Ashland, Oregon in 1998 and more locations were soon to follow. By 2002, The Human Bean launched its brand into the franchising market. Since then, the chain of specialty coffee drive-through restaurants have grown to include nearly 50 locations with additional growth expected in the years to come.

After running - and eventually retiring from - a successful childcare franchise for several years, the Weissman family (Michael and Linda and son Michael) returned to the business world to launch a new venture. The Learning Center kept to the Weissman’s original concept of infusing child care with education and working closely with parents to gauge each child’s progress. Over 100 of these centers are serving clients around the United States today.